South Algonquin Township Future Directions Survey 2016

Survey Purpose

The Township of South Algonquin invites all permanent and seasonal residents to become part of the planning process for the future of your community by completing this "Future Directions Survey 2016". Your participation in this survey will ensure that the resulting plan will be a true reflection of what you have identified as both issues and opportunities for the future of South Algonquin. This survey can also be completed on-line by visiting www.southalgonquin.ca.

All results are confidential and will be reported in total numbers with no identifiable individuals or organizations. The results will form part of the Future Directions Strategy which will be finalized early in the fall of 2016.

The community consultation will continue with two public meetings in Whitney and Madawaska on each of May 18 and June 6. May 18 in Madawaska (4:30 pm to 6:00 pm at the Madawaska Complex, 26A Major Lake Rd.) and Whitney (7:00 pm to 8:30 pm at the Lester Smith Building, 32 Hay Creek Rd.) The May 18 meetings will focus on how we can build on the assets South Algonquin already has, and the creation of Mission and Vision Statements to guide us. The June 6 meetings ( 4:30 to 6:00 pm in Whitney and the 7:00 to 8:30 pm in Madawaska) will use the ideas collected at the first meetings, information from focus groups conducted with the assistance of Brock University, and the preliminary results from this survey, together with input from attendees, to develop a Future Directions Action Plan for moving forward.

Your input is valuable. Thank you for taking the time to complete the survey on-line or on paper copy. Blank surveys and drop boxes for completed forms can be found at the Township office and other locations in both Whitney and Madawaska. The deadline for completing the survey on-line or completing a paper copy is May 31, 2016.

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1.What kind of resident most describes you? Check all that apply.

Permanent/year-round resident

Seasonal resident

Own a business in South Algonquin but do not reside in the township

Own a business in South Algonquin

Other (please specify)

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2.If you are NOT a Seasonal Resident please skip to Question 5. How many weeks per year do you use your seasonal residence on average? Please check one.

Two weeks or less

2 to 4 weeks

4 to 8 weeks

8 to 20 weeks

More than 20 weeks

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3.How long has your family owned this seasonal residence? Check one.

Municipal Staff (friendliness/responsive/communication) Not sure or Not applicable

Fire services

Fire services Excellent

Fire services Good

Fire services Fair

Fire services Needs improvement

Fire services Not sure or Not applicable

Ambulance service

Ambulance service Excellent

Ambulance service Good

Ambulance service Fair

Ambulance service Needs improvement

Ambulance service Not sure or Not applicable

Directional road signage

Directional road signage Excellent

Directional road signage Good

Directional road signage Fair

Directional road signage Needs improvement

Directional road signage Not sure or Not applicable

Overall quality of the environment

Overall quality of the environment Excellent

Overall quality of the environment Good

Overall quality of the environment Fair

Overall quality of the environment Needs improvement

Overall quality of the environment Not sure or Not applicable

Protection and celebration of heritage places and buildings

Protection and celebration of heritage places and buildings Excellent

Protection and celebration of heritage places and buildings Good

Protection and celebration of heritage places and buildings Fair

Protection and celebration of heritage places and buildings Needs improvement

Protection and celebration of heritage places and buildings Not sure or Not applicable

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8.What should the Township's top three priorities be for the next ten years? Please select ONLY your top three choices and rank them First Priority, Second Priority or Third Priority.

First Priorty

Second Priority

Third Priority

Community Economic Development (efforts to improve the local economy, improve employment, build on existing assets, attract new business, encourage existing business expansion, improve access to business planning support)

Community Economic Development (efforts to improve the local economy, improve employment, build on existing assets, attract new business, encourage existing business expansion, improve access to business planning support) First Priorty

Community Economic Development (efforts to improve the local economy, improve employment, build on existing assets, attract new business, encourage existing business expansion, improve access to business planning support) Second Priority

Community Economic Development (efforts to improve the local economy, improve employment, build on existing assets, attract new business, encourage existing business expansion, improve access to business planning support) Third Priority

Build on existing advantage of being located next door to Algonquin Park (improved trails, nature programming, marketing strategy to attract people into south Algonquin from the Park)

Build on existing advantage of being located next door to Algonquin Park (improved trails, nature programming, marketing strategy to attract people into south Algonquin from the Park) First Priorty

Build on existing advantage of being located next door to Algonquin Park (improved trails, nature programming, marketing strategy to attract people into south Algonquin from the Park) Second Priority

Build on existing advantage of being located next door to Algonquin Park (improved trails, nature programming, marketing strategy to attract people into south Algonquin from the Park) Third Priority

Improved cultural and recreational opportunities for all ages First Priorty

Improved cultural and recreational opportunities for all ages Second Priority

Improved cultural and recreational opportunities for all ages Third Priority

Greater protection and celebration of heritage places/people/places

Greater protection and celebration of heritage places/people/places First Priorty

Greater protection and celebration of heritage places/people/places Second Priority

Greater protection and celebration of heritage places/people/places Third Priority

Other

Other First Priorty

Other Second Priority

Other Third Priority

Other (please specify)

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9.What ideas do you have for new community special events in South Algonquin?

Idea 1

Idea 2

Idea 3

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10.What are three realistic projects South Algonquin could work on in the next ten years?

Idea 1

Idea 2

Idea 3

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11.Imagine you left South Algonquin for ten years and are now returning to see all the changes that have been made. Describe your vision of what you would like to see on your return to the community.

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12.What is your age category? Please check one.

Under 18 years

18 to 30 years

31 to 45 years

46 to 65 years

66 to 80 years

80 years+

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13.What is your gender?

Female

Male

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14.The Township would like to enhance programs in the community. Please identify ways you could contribute to the development of new programs. Please check all that apply.

Assist on a planning committee for a new program or event

Help organize a fundraiser

Make items for a fundraiser (e.g. bake, knit, build)

Promote activities on a social media page

Connect program organizers with others in the community who could help

Promote at a trade show/or through your tourism-based business (e.g. display brochures/posters)

Other (please specify)

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15.Do you have any other comments, ideas or suggestions that have not already been covered in the survey? You are welcome to use the back of the page for ideas if you are completing a hard copy. Thank you for taking the time to complete the survey.

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16.If you indicated an interest in helping in question #14, please provide your name and telephone number or email so we can contact you about assisting with the libraries, recreation or other initiatives.